Bicycle-coupling.



J. A. CARSWELL.

BICYCLE COUPUNG.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-115M918.

Patented Apr. 15,1919.

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JAMES A. cAns WELn, or nueusrnienonsra.

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Specificationof Letters-i ms ifatented Apr. 1 5,

Application filed J aniiary'16, 1918. Serial No.21 2, 1 14.

To all whomitmdy concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. OARSWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Augusta, in the county of Richmond and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in bicycle attachments, and more particularly in devices for coupling bicycles one behind the other, the primary object of my invention being the provision of suitable coupling links by means of which two or more bicycles may be connected together one behind the other with the rear wheel of the leading bicycle serving as the forward wheel of the following bicycle.

In this connection one of the objects of my invention resides in so constructing the coupling links that no modifications in the bicycle constructions will be necessary, in such a manner that the bicycles may be quickly coupled together and in such a manner that whenever desired the bicycles may be separated and used independently. I

Another object which I have in view is to construct the couplings in such a manner that the strain exerted upon the rear portion of the frame of one of the bicycles due to the necessity of supporting a part of the weight of the other bicycle and rider as well as its own weight and the weight of its rider will be divided betweenthe spindle of the rear wheel and the frame of such bicycle so that all breakage is avoided.

With these and other objects in view, my invention will be more'fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and then specifically pointed out in the claims which form a part of this application.

In the drawings j Figure 1 is afragmentary side elevation showing two bicycles connected by my improved coupling links; I

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section showing one of the coupling linksand the correlated portions of the bicycles;

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 illustrating a slightly modified form of link.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

My improved attachment, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, in connection with Fig'l, includes a a of coupling nnksio which except 'that'they are made in lefts and rights are of identical construction. Each coupling link includes a hub plate 11 adapted to be mounted upon one end of the rear spindle of the bicycle and provided with an arm 12 having a laterally offset terminal 13 the upper faceof which is concave transversely andprovided with a pad 1A of rubber,'felt or other suitable material. The terminal 13 of one coupling will be offset in one direction'while the terminal 13 of the, other coupling will be offset inthe other direction. Also extending from the hub plate 11 is a se condarm 15 disposed at a slight incl-ina t'ion tofthe first arm and terminating in a hub 16 having a diametric bore 17 to receive aspindle 18. ,Theends of the hub are recessed to receive bearing cups 19 and the spindle carries cone bearings 20 so that series of ball bearings 21 may be interposed between the cone bearings and bearing. cups. -Nuts 22 threaded upon the ends of the spindle serve to retain the parts in place. i The above described structure constitutes my presentinvention but in order to insure a clear understanding of its application and.

use I have illustrated it in connection with two bicycles A and B, the latter being coupled behind the former. A rear spindle a supports the rear wheel of the forward bicycle, and the hub plates .11 of a pair of my couplings are mounted upon the ends of this spindle by removing the nuts from the spindle and are then secured thereonby replacing the nuts. These coupling links are so mounted upon these spindles a that the lateral extensions 13 engage beneath the horizontal arms of the rear fork b of the bicycle A, while their arms .15, which are somewhat shorter project rearwardly and upwardly. 'The forward wheel and its spindle of the bicycle Bare removed and 'the.

inner nuts 22 'ofthespindles, 18 are removed so that the ends of the armsof the forward fork c of the bicycle B maybe applied to the.

inner: ends of the spindles 18 to lie between the hub 16 and the rear wheel of the bicycle of the motorcycle...

necessary independent movement'of the bi cycles such as is occasioned through variations in grade as in going-- Wer ridg'es or through narrow valleys. At the same ti me the bicycles may be readily uncoupled avwnr and the forward Wheel of the rear bicycle re placed-When both :bicycles may beemployed in the usual manner.

It Will, of course, be appreciated that'bj the useg-goi a; number ofspairsi ofi coupling link-sally desirednumber of.,bi8y91eS-;ma5 becoupled one behind-theiother." Furthermoreif desired aamotorcycle may -bercoupledwbee hind one or more bicycles and its-qmoton em ployedt drive the: entire: series zofibicycles; If suchqissthecase: 1,; preferably provide -a I somewhat modified form 0f ,rcouplingg link: such" asthat sshown at231in. Eig.;.3-.' Thesole: difierence in this consists 1 intthe fact that its arm 24; corresponding to the-zarmtl5 is ou-twardly offset sopthattherinner faces of: the hubs of two couplings .of lthis haracter --i will: be spacedTfantherv apart ino fdersthat they; may, better) receivebetween .themtthe; arms of ther-fonward forleofa motorcycle as, the forward, forks of-r motorcycles; are usually Widenihan; those of bicyclesm. v How ever, the ferm of ,1 coupling -link 1; sho-wnein Fig, '2 may. be employed, if (the -spindleWis. mad-eof sulficienhlength byrinserting Wash-v"v ers r-between theeinner cone bearings and the 1 outer: faces 'of theg armso-f .the-r forvvard,fork

lFlavi-mg .thusI-describ edtheinvention, .what isuclaimedasnevv ise p 1., Thercemibinetion With.- aibicycle hav ing-a rear. heel and spindleand -zasbicycle; having a 7 forward wheel receiving fork, of; means :for coupling theeforlc of the: second i yc1e-t ,-the spindle; of the: first bicycle, said-{means including; =jcoupling;glinks reapplicable-to the spindl'e oigthefirsts-bicycle; and

' haNing-,-arms e-adapted to; re'ceivea and; support q-theeendsg of (the; fork of -.th,e second. bicycle, the amnsi being I formed; to provide hubs,-;- spindles r j ournaled; -2 at? their-, end: portions ins such hubs, and means carriedby the spindles-rf0r-.-securing;the 'GIldS OZE lZhG;

fork thereon: I v

2., The,cornbjnationf withfasbieycle having;a afreari-i fram e portion-supporting a? spindle aorear i-wheel and la second -.bicvcle'-..

v having-a fforwardflfork, oi coupling; linksmeme-ted upon the spindlee at-its ends; arms projecting from the coupling links and enr gagingbeneath certainportions of the frame er cannvinzg: a-i eanWheek nd+' i-s ,een s yc -t em BWfi K Q F Q; of upling) l nksm untedi- -pe s he pie r eet its t nd m P1 3 a ti g;i m thec upli g-zli kse dengaginggbeneath"; certain portions: 1 of; the;

frame tot; limit; movement; o-fithe:

linksiin one1dir'ecti0n .,;and arms extending from thelinks at; an; angle to the-first-farms and iadaptecl'gat theirends to receive the .free; endsof the fork; off the second bicycle; said latter arms at ,theirgjfree-ends: being thick ened to gprovide hubs spindles; journaled ;in

the hubs/to receivethe endsfofzthe- -forlg and bea=rings;.in the hub'sifor the spindles.

p 4. A couplin-g attachment f0r b icyeles- -including p ain of ,coi 1pliiig, links having huba plates; adapted; .forapplications-to the; rear spindle: ofa; bieyclentosrotate. upon the saidsaid. plates" and free ito engage beneath-t a bicycle frame, and additional arms; extendingi rearwardly and upwardly it'rom the hub plates and;freesamtheinouter ends to -pivot..

ally receive theiiorwand'i-endseof the fork; 3

of asecond bicyclej whereby: the said ifork ends? Will 1 be. supported; abcver thepivotal-2v centers of thesaid links 5. A coupling; attachment-for bicycles in- I eluding ,a; pairof-couphnglinks including hub vplates adapted to iswing ingly, supportthe-.;links,; arms extending; forwardly; from 9 theplates 7 and; having? inwardly directed? stop. terminals; arms; extending i'rearWardl-y from the plates and thickened-attheirouter ends to 7 form- K hubs, anti-friction bearings seated in opposite, side. faces: of; said hubs; and spindlesseXtend-i-ng loosely Y through I thehubsanclr journaled at theirouter 5 end portions upon said bearings, thesaid-qspindles:

being adapted to support; the forwardg-fe'rk ofa bicycle I 1 I In testimony,whereoflfa :X Thy-signature:

JAMES .A; A s ELL. [L: 5.1 o

Qplfifnfllifl i patent a may rbe bhtained fort fiyecents each; by eddressingflthe Commission?! of 'l'atents,

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